Hasp



March 16, 1943. w B. Tlll ELE 2,s14,1s0

Filed July 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

B. THIE'LE March 16, 1943.

HASP

Filed July 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w .uxQMg I ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 16, 1943 HASP Berthold Thiele, Milwaukee, Wis.,' assignor to E.

R. Wagner Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin I Application July 15, 1940, Serial No. 345,555

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in hasps or clasps, especially designed and adapted for use with suitcases, trunks, boxes, or other similar receptacles or cases.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a hasp of this character, which is so constructed and organized as to be highly simplified as well as to be closely compacted in its construction, which requires the use of a minimum number of parts, and which may be manufactured with economy from materials and by means of facilities ordinarily available. The hasp is so constituted that it may be produced entirely from sheet metal stampings, and yet the final product is not only strong, durable, reliable, and efficient, but highly attractive in appearance and adapted to be readily applied and secured to the parts of the receptacle or case with which it is employed without the use of any fastening devices extrinsic .of the hasp,

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in top plan showing a hasp constructed in accordance with the present invention, the hasp being shown in closed or latching position, and only fragments of the sections of the case being illustrated.

Figure 2 is a viewin transverse, vertical cross section, taken on line 22 of Figure 1,,but omitting the illustration of the case.

Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the hasp shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 butshowing the hasp swing from its latching to its released or inoperative position, the outer portion of the finger-piece of the outer end of the hasp being broken away.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 but showing the swingable hasp plate in unlatched or inoperative position.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective View of the swingable hasp plate, the plate being viewed from the under side thereof to illustrate its stiffening and latching flange, and also its trunnion and cam lug construction.

Figure 7 is a view in top plan showing a slightly modified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a view in transverse vertical cross section taken on line 88 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a View in bottom plan of the hasp shown in Figures 7 and 8; and

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view similar to Figure 6 but showing the modified constructionof the swingable hasp employed in the construction illustrated in Figures 7, 8, and 9.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figures lto 6, inclusive, it will be seen that in the form of the invention there illustrated the hasp comprises generally a keeper structure I, which is attached to one of the sections of the case, and a housing structure 2, which is attached to the other section of the case and upon which the hasp 3 is swingably supported. The housing structure 2 not only provides a mounting for the hasp 3, but also supplies the housing or enclosure for the hasp spring 4. All of these component parts of the hasp are stamped or cut from sheet metal. 7

The keeper l is generally in the form of a shallow cup or shell and has a fiat bodyv plate 5 formed at its central portion with an upstanding keeper boss or lug 6, which is pressed or drawn from the metal of the body plate, and which has integral therewith a rounded and outwardly directed toe 1. Around the margin of the body plate of the keeper l is an integral downwardly directed marginal flange 8.- Adjacent the ends of the rear edge of the keeper plate 5 the marginal flange has integrally formed therewith pointed penetrating prongs 9 designed to be'driven into the material making upthe section of the case to which the keeper is applied and to be crimped over, if desired, to securely fasten the keeper in position. If desired the prongs 9 may be longitudinally ribbed to stiffen and strengthen them. In between the prongs the body plate has a slight rearward extension It which enhances the appearance of the structure and tends, in some measure, to prevent any canting or angling of the keeper, and insures it being disposed flush up against this section of the case with its outer surface parallel to the surface to which it is applied.

The housing 2 is also of cupped or shell-like formation and is stamped from a piece of resilient sheet metal that is sufficiently resilient to enable it to be drawn or stamped, but, of course, effectively rigid and strong in its final shape. The housing 2 has a top or body portion I2 which is made up of upwardly displaced sloping surfaces I4, l5, lfiand H, which intersect or merge in each other along angular ridge,-

like lines 20 to enhance the ornamental ap'- pearance of the housing as well as stifien and strengthen it. Around this marginal edge the housing is formed with an integral downwardly directed flange 2|. Integral with the flange 2| adjacent the ends of the rear edge of the housing are penetrating prongs 22 which have pointed lower ends and which have a longitudinal rib to strengthen them and better adapt them to be driven into the material of the section of the case to which the housing is applied. In between the prongs 22 the housing is formed with an integral rectangular extension 2' which has a top I6 merging into the surface l6 of the main top of the housing, and has a downwardly directed marginal flange 2! which is integral and continuous with the flange 2|,

The sloping section M of the body of the housing is formed with a centrally disposed opening 23, and the forward edge of this opening, which is spaced somewhat from the forward edge of the housing, has integrally formed with its margin a downwardly directed penetrating prong 24 similar in its construction to the prongs 22. The hasp spring 4 is slotted as at 4' to accommodate the prong 24.

Integrally formed with the top of the housing 2 at the marginal edges of the opening 23, and adjacent one end thereof, are transversely alined bearing sockets 25. These sockets 25 are formed by displacing the metal of the top upwardly in suitable fashion, the bearing sockets 25 opening to the interior of the housing.

The hasp 3 comprises a hasp plate 28, which is constituted of a flat imperforate piece of sheet metal. Adjacent one end of the hasp plate 26, integral laterally projecting trunnions 21 are provided and are transversely alined and extend beyond the side edges of the plate. The trunnions 21 are of such curved cross section as to rotatably interfit with the corresponding curved inner peripheral surfaces of the bearing sockets 25.

The end of the hasp plate at which the trunnions 2'! are provided is also formed with an integral camming lug 28. The trunnions 21 are retained in rotative engagement with their bearing sockets 25, and the hasp plate is releasably secured in either latching or releasing position by the hasp spring 4.

The hasp spring 4, which is in the form of a bowed or curved leaf spring, has its ends confined within the housing by anchoring tabs 39 formed integral with the downwardly directed marginal flange of the housing at the front and rear thereof and bent over into appropriate engagement with the ends of the spring 4. As shown, the spring 4 has its intermediate portion pressing against the camming lug 28 or the rounded portion 28' of the hasp plate adjacent the camming lug. When the hasp plate is in latching position, the spring engages with the lug 28 in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 to secure the hasp in latching position. On the other hand, when the hasp is in the position shown in Figure 5, the spring engages the rounded portion 28' to releasably secure the hasp in released position. 1

latching position of the hasp. The portion 3| of the flange is preferably provided with an integral upwardly directed finger-piece 32, which facilitates manipulation of the latch.

The form of the invention shown in Figures '7 to 10, inclusive, is in most respects identical with that just described. The keeper structure, designated at 40, is identical with the keeper 1, except that the extension corresponding to the extension I9 is omitted, the keeper 4!) comprising a true rectangular shallow shell equipped with the penetrating prongs 9, keeper lug 6, and toe "I. Like-- wise, the housing 4| is identical with the housing 2 save that the extension 2 is omitted so that the hasp spring, designated at 42, is somewhat shorter than, though otherwise identical with, the hasp spring 4. The hasp plate, designated at 45, is identical with the hasp plate 3' is so far as the body of the plate, its stiffening and locking flange, and its finger-piece are concerned, but instead of having rounded trunnions the trunnions consist of plain rectangular projections 45 which are integral with the unflanged end of the hasp plate and have a camming lug 41, similar to the camming lug 28, combined therewith. The portion of the hasp plate comprehended between the trunnions 46 is also flat or plane, as indicated at 46, instead of being rounded, as is the portion 28 of the hasp plate shown in Figure 6.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the hasp provided by the present invention is made up entirely of sheet metal parts. Even the spring may be cut from spring steel. A minimum number of parts are required and those that are required may be produced with economy and facility on the scale of quantity production. The resulting product is, however, extremely strong and durable and of highly attractive appearance. And a very efficient and reliable latching action is insured between the hasp and the keeper lug. The pivotal connection provided between the hasp plate and the housing is a very satisfactory and efficient one, a connection which insures ease of manipulation and yet will stand up in use. The spring is very effectively combined with the other parts so as to perform the dual function of retaining the trunnions and sockets engaged and of releasably securing the hasp plate in latched or released position. Moreover, by having the toe on the keeper lug engage a seat on the outside of the housing the parts are centered or alined when brought together.

While I have shown and described several constructions in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that the constructions shown have been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A hasp of the character described comprising a stamped sheet metal housing having a top and a depending marginal flange, said top having an opening therein extending centrally thereof from a point adjacent but spaced from the front to a point adjacent but spaced from the rear edge of the housing, a hasp plate overlying said opening and having one end pivotally interconnected with the top of the housing adjacent the rear end of said opening, a leaf spring secured in said housing below said opening and coacting with the end portion of the hasp plate pivoted to the housing to releasably retain the hasp plate in latching or released position, attaching prongs integral with the flange of the housing at the rear thereof, and an attaching prong struck from the top of the housing and projecting down through said opening, said spring also having an opening therein to accommodate said last-named prong.

2. A hasp of the character described comprising a stamped sheet metal housing having a top and a depending marginal flange, said top having an opening therein, a hasp plate overlying said opening pivotally interconnected to the housing and spring-biased to latching or released position, attaching prongs integral with the marginal flange of the housing at the rear thereof, and an attaching prong struck from the top of the housing and extending downwardly through the opening thereof.

3. A device of the character described comprising a cupped sheet metal housing having a central opening in its top portion, transversely alined bearing sockets integrally formed with the top of the housing and opposite marginal edges of said opening adjacent one end thereof, a hasp comprising a flat imperforate body plate having integral laterally projecting trunnions adjacent the one end thereof, said trunnions being rotatably fitted in the bearing sockets of the housing, a leaf spring disposed within the housing and having its ends anchored thereagainst in such fashion that its intermediate portion is bowed into resilient engagement with the end of the body plate of the hasp adjacent the trunnions to retain the trunnions rotatably interfitted with their bearing sockets, the major portion of the body plate which extends to one side of the trunnions and exteriorly of the housing having an integral marginal stiffening and latching flange extending substantially at right angles to the mean plane of the body plate, the end of the body plate opposite the trunnions and the adjacent portion of its flange being adapted to cover, fit over and around, and have latching engagement with a keeper lug.

4. A device of the character described comprising a cupped sheet metal housing having a central opening in its top portion, transversely alined bearing sockets integrally formed with the top of the housing and opposite marginal ends of said opening adjacent one end thereof, a hasp comprising a flat imperforate bodyl plate having integral laterally projecting trunnions adjacent one end thereof, said trunnions being rotatably fitted in the bearing sockets of the housing, a leaf spring disposed within the housing and having its ends anchored thereagainst in such fashion that its intermediate portion is bowed into resilient engagement with the end of the hasp adjacent which the trunnions are provided whereby to retain the trunnions rotatably interfitted with their bearing sockets, the end of the hasp plate adjacent said trunnions having an integral cam lug also cooperable with the intermediate portion of said spring to releasably retain the hasp in either latching or released position, the major portion of the body plate lying on the opposite side of thetrunnions from the camming lug and disposed externally of the housing having an integral marginal stiffening and latching flange extending approximately at right angles to the mean plane of the body plate of the housing, the end of the body plate opposite the cam lug and the adjacent portion of its flange being adapted to cover, fit over and around, and have latching engagement with a keeper lug in the latching position of the hasp.

BERTHOLD THIELE. 

